Kelly Smith’s heroics thwarted by Japan

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Bootiful Kelly Smith gave the Women’s World Cup the kick up the backside it needed last night with two goals in as many minutes to provide England with a tantalising glimpse of the quarter-finals before Aya Miyama equalised with her second free-kick blast of the match with almost the last kick of the game.

Germany’s record 11-0 defeat of Argentina in the first game on Monday had provided ammunition those who denigrate women’s football but, coming straight on the back of the United States’ 2-2 draw with North Korea, England fought back from a goal behind to gain a winning